(photo credit: Emirates Racing Authority - Magnitude and Jose Ortiz winning the Dubai World Cup 2026)
The road to another UAE racing season is officially mapped out offering a blend of elite international competition with the rich traditions of Purebred Arabian and Thoroughbred racing.
Spanning 26 weeks, the season gets underway at Abu Dhabi Turf Club on 22 October 2026 and will reach it’s crescendo beneath the lights of Meydan Racecourse on 27 March 2027 with the US$12 million Dubai World Cup, one of the most prestigious race meetings anywhere in the world.
64 Meetings Across Five Racecourses
Meydan Racecourse will stage 17 meetings, Abu Dhabi Turf Club hosts 16 fixtures, Al Ain Racecourse will conduct 14 race days, Jebel Ali Racecourse has been allocated 11 meetings, while Sharjah Racecourse rounds out the schedule with six race days, ensuring racing fans across the Emirates will enjoy consistent action throughout the winter months
Abu Dhabi to Start the Season
Opening the season on 22 October and closing it on 15 April 2027, Abu Dhabi Turf Club will also once again play host to two of the season's most prestigious races, showcasing the very best of both Purebred Arabian and Thoroughbred racing.
The spotlight first falls on the UAE President's Cup on 12 December 2026, one of the world's most important races for Purebred Arabians. With AED8 million in prize money on offer, the feature continues to attract elite horses from across the Middle East and Europe, cementing its status as a cornerstone of the international Arabian racing calendar.
Attention then turns to the second running of the Abu Dhabi Gold Cup on 7 February 2027, a US$1 million Thoroughbred contest that has already established itself as a key target for international stables seeking success in the UAE.
Meydan's Road to the Dubai World Cup
While attention naturally turns to the Dubai World Cup meeting each season, the journey to the sport's biggest day in the UAE begins months earlier.
Meydan's 17-meeting programme will once again form the backbone of the Dubai Racing Carnival, attracting horses, trainers and jockeys from around the globe before culminating in the Dubai World Cup card.
With the world's eyes focused on Dubai each March/April, the meeting continues to serve as one of the sport's premier international showcases of the UAE's sporting calendar.
Sharjah, Al Ain and Jebel Ali Maintain Their Traditions
Sharjah Racecourse's programme features several of its signature contests, including the H.H. The Ruler of Sharjah Cup, the GCC Cup, the H.H. Sharjah Crown Prince Cup and the H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup, which once again opens the Emirates Sprint Series.
At Al Ain, the popular three-leg Marathon Series returns alongside the Al Ain Mile, providing a platform for proven stayers and locally trained performers to shine.
Meanwhile, Jebel Ali Racecourse continues to offer some of the most fiercely contested racing in the country. The iconic hill track's feature races, including the Jebel Ali Mile, Jebel Ali Sprint and Jebel Ali Stakes, remain highlights of the domestic calendar and regularly produce horses capable of competing at the highest level later in the season.
The release of the 2026-27 calendar signals the beginning of preparations for owners, trainers and jockeys across the region as they plot campaigns towards the UAE's biggest prizes.
From the opening meeting in Abu Dhabi to the spectacle of Dubai World Cup night, the upcoming season promises another chapter in the continued growth of UAE racing, showcasing the country's unique blend of Arabian heritage, international competition and world class racing infrastructure.
With 64 meetings spread across five venues, the countdown to October is officially underway!
